Sturgeon Bay turns out to greet tall ships (video)

Aug. 14, 2013

The Hindu was the second of seven Tall Ships expected to dock overnight in Sturgeon Bay Wednesday before heading for Tall Ships festival in Green Bay Thursday. Photo by Ramelle Bintz/Door County Advocate.

The Hindu was the second Tall Ship to pass through the Maple-Oregon Bridge in Sturgeon Bay late Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Ramelle Bintz/Door County Advocate.

Traffic backed up on the Michigan Street Bridge early Wednesday evening as the Tall Ships began to arrive just before 5 p.m. This view shows traffic heading south. Photo by Ramelle Bintz/Door County Advocate.

The Niagara met throngs of cheers from a crowd waiting for the Tall Ships to arrive about 5 p.m. Wednesday at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. Photo by Ramelle Bintz/Door County Advocate

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Tall Ships were welcomed with cannon blasts and crowds who cheered as they entered the canal and docked in downtown Sturgeon Bay.

The Niagara was the first to arrive followed by the Hindu. The Peacemaker, Unicorn and Denis Sullivan next entered the canal with the Appledore IV and Windy following. Seven ships in all arrived by nightfall.

The international S.S. Sorlandet Norwegian ship took a different route around Death’s Door to head for Green Bay.

The Halie & Matthew also changed its route as it became stuck in Lake Huron and had to cancel plans to sail into Sturgeon Bay. Its passengers instead will board the Windy, Chicago’s namesake, to sail for Green Bay Thursday morning.

The evening continued with live music at Martin Park in a Harmony by the Bay concert by Shaker and the Egg, a jazz, swing and funk music band. Trolley rides shuttled visitors through downtown Sturgeon Bay sponsored by the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center.

All seven of the Tall Ships were scheduled to set sail for Green Bay Thursday morning. Those who wish to avoid bridge delays should plan to use the Bayview Bridge. The Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival is scheduled Friday through Sunday at Green Bay's Leicht Memorial Park.